SEDIBENG.-Two young female firefighters from the Working on Fire program namely Maditaba Hlahane and Nomsa Mahlangu from Vaal Marina recently bid happy goodbyes to their families as they gear up to be deployed to Canada.
The duo, who are sole breadwinners, come from Mamelong Squatter Camp on the verge of Vaal Dam, in Midvaal. Hlahane who has two children said about the trip.
‘‘When I told my son that I would be away, she said Mom please work hard and know I love you.’’
Saving lives and protecting the environment is what Hlahane does as a firefighter. This, she said, was emotive because she loves her kids very much. When duty calls, she said one has to respond for the sake of others in need of help.
‘‘I work well under pressure with dedication and commitment. This is a vote of confidence in me by the management. I won’t disappoint them.”
Meanwhile, Mahlangu said she will, collectively in a team, make a positive contribution to battle the raging Canadian fires.
‘‘We are going there to lend a helping hand. We need to make a crucial difference,’’ she said. They will spend 39 days in Alberta as they join other international firefighters from the United States amongst others.
She said it is to protect the environment even outside of South Africa.
